Tom's Diary

Hi [Kandi].

Doing fine. Christmas was great. We had a family gathering here at the house on Christmas Eve. There’s this web site that “tracks” Santa Claus on a sort of radar screen. The kids just loved that. It’s at
http://www.noradsanta.org/
As the evening progressed, you could see the green blips on the map light up. And, if you click on each one, they show footage of his sleigh flying around the sky at that particular location. There’s a pic of him flying around the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It really kindled the Christmas spirit – even among the adults.

I’m so glad you had such a nice Christmas after being away so long, and am sure your family was glad to have you back again.

Watch the waistline with those impromptu meal plans.    It’s real easy to gain lots of weight eating all that pizza that college kids eat. At one time, I could eat a whole large Domino’s pizza for supper. Of course, back then I was 25 pounds heavier too.

Where’s your apartment going to be?

Thanks for the birthday wishes. When is your birthday?

Well, I’m off to the gig tonight. We’re supposed to get around 100 people stopping by. Hopefully, most of them will take one of my business cards. Take care, and I’ll talk to you soon.

Tom Hesley

Thanks Carl, for the birthday wishes. It was indeed a nice one.

Haven’t written anything since June in the book. But I have been programming the DJ computers. Adding the years to all my music so I can retrieve songs for particular years, for things like class reunions and such.

[Kandi] is back from China and says Seasons Greetings to all.

I did email [Ronda] as well. She responded, saying that she probably won’t be back at camp next summer. Oh well. It was fun hiking with her.

Well, have a good holiday in NJ. Catch you later.

Tom

Dear [Ann],

Yea, I taught [Tigger, you cat] to get you up at bizarre hours. you see, when I visit somewhere, I leave lasting effects behind.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

I just woke up at 4:30 or so this morning and couldn’t sleep. So, I got on LavaLife. I did receive your message but being as cheap as I am these days, figured I’d just reply to you in email rather than sending you a voice message back.

Did the sock hop today. It went very well.

Will probably catch you tonight on the chat line if you’re around.

Tom

Hey, thanks, [Kandi].

I’m just heading out the door for a sock hop gig this afternoon up at the grade school in Bellwood.

My 44th birthday was Sunday and went to Pittsburgh for a party on Saturday night.

The high-intensity black lights (I think I told you about them) arrived last week and look pretty psychedelic, although they aren’t as bright as I expected. They should still work well on the dance floor.

I love this time of year (well, except for the weight-gain part).

We’re gearing up for our big New Years bash at my sister’s. Close to 100 people come, all told, and I’ll be playing music at it, for the exposure, and the fun.

I hope to get out and look at some Christmas lights if we get some snow .

Yes, I imagine that it will take you some weeks to get used to being home again, before home really feels like home again. You may find that once you’ve been that far away for as long as you were, that home will never be quite the same. But still nice though.

Thanks again for your email Christmas card, and for thinking of me.

Take care, sweetie. You have a wonderful holiday as well.

Tom

[Mentat],

Joe [...] wanted me to ask you if you were interested in obtaining an opticon. Apparently, they came across about 14 of them at Pitt, from when they used to teach it there, and they have no use for them today. So, they’re looking for good homes for them. Joe says that they all have new batteries and are all functional. If you are interested, give Joe a call at 412-687-xxxx.

Tom

Rich,

Thanks for having me. As usual, the party was a blast.

By the way, can you tell me how to get hold of Shirley? A phone number perhaps? She and I talked at length about weight-lifting at the party, and I meant to get her number. She was going to give me suggestions on how to work my wrist to get it well again. But when I looked for her later to get the information, she had already left.

Also, can you give me [your cousin's] number?

Thanks much.
Tom

Hey [Ann].

Thanks for remembering my birthday.

Actually, on the older woman, she and her husband seem quite happy, although she’s in much better shape than he is.

The party was nice. Short but very nice. There was a little argument, which I’ll tell you about later. Perhaps I’ll mention it on the chat line. But old Richard Parker. He’s still vintage Richard.

Later,
Tom

Dear [Ann],

Yes, that would be my guess – his computer settings.

Anyway, I can’t tell you how thrilled I am for you with regard to [your new guy friend]. Make it work. You’ll be my inspiration to keep trying to find my dream girl.

Getting ready to head for the bus [to Pittsburgh] here in about an hour.

Brought three of the four high-intensity black lights home last night. They work well, although they’re not as bright as I imagined. But they’re still quite bright. I had to leave the fourth one at the music store until the cases for them arrive. The guy wanted one light there so he could do any final case fitting to it. Hopefully, the cases will be finished next week.

The party at Mary Ann’s last night was a blast. In fact, I know now that age is not a factor in what determines whether or not I find someone attractive. There was this 70-year-old woman there that I just could not keep away from. She liked the attention, but of course, she was married.

Anyway, take care. I’ll be back home tomorrow afternoon. Will probably talk to you on the chat line tomorrow night, if you’re not doing something with [your new fellow].

Later,
Tom

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Dear [Ann],

Yep. Keeping busy. Outside work is almost done. I just have to tie down the wires out there with these nylon straps that lock together. Then, I’ll be done outside. Hopefully this afternoon. It’s rather cold though. So I might not get to it until tomorrow.

We have a dusting of snow. A few white spots here and there, but no real accumulation. It’s nice and warm inside however.

Tom

Dear [Ann],

Yep, I’m going to push real hard today. Leaving to get supplies in a few minutes. It’s kind of rainy here right now. So hopefully, that won’t interfere with the ladder work too much.

Tom Hesley